Mexico and Beyond

But now they desire a better country, that is an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. Hebrews 11:16

Have you been noticing, as I have, that the Lord has been giving us more and more indicators that this world is not our home? It seems to be there is one major "worry" after another; and most of these worries are worldwide. I have tried my best to remember the Who that is in total control of this universe and to be anxious for nothing. But also, you and I must remember the prayer needs of the lost who wrap all of their hopes - be they health, financial or otherwise - on this present world. Oh, what a sad state to be in.

Having said all that, I recognize the need to be sensible and cautious with regard to danger. Apparently in my state there are five confirmed cases of this flu and across the river there is a case involving a two year old boy who, thankfully, has recovered. So what's happening in your area? Are you doing anything to protect yourself, such as taking extra vitamins and staying away from public places? Are you perhaps thinking this is a Chicken Little type thing? Do you have concerns about the way our government is handling the situation? Well, at least we haven't done what the Egyptian government did. Those poor farmers over there.

Just curious. It's something how this whole thing started in one of the world's most popular vacation spots.

Coming to visit some of you this evening when I have some time, hopefully.

Tuesday Tips #6 - Save Your Back!

I just finished ordering something from Amazon and I'm very excited about it! I have been struggling with my vacuum cleaner for a while now, because lugging it around has not been good for my back, shoulders, and various other areas of my anatomy. Lately, getting up dog hair has been a never ending chore around here, at least until I can get my doggy to the groomer. Well, Bev told me about this neat little vc she just got and she's really loving it. She made a post about it yesterday at our business blog. I really encourage you to go read what she has to say. You may end up getting one too. You'll love the price ($20.00) and it qualifies for free shipping at Amazon! I just added one of those neat little devotional books by Elizabeth George ($7.99) and it took me over the $25 for free shipping. Go check it out at The SG Notebook. You also might want to leave a comment about any neat gadgets you have around your house.

The Joy of Believer's Baptism

This afternoon, my husband and I (and our church) had the joy of seeing, for the second time, one of my daughters enter into the waters of baptism. This time it was my youngest daughter Neesie. It's been a few years now that we have seen her growth in the Lord and what seems to be a genuine faith in Him. With young people, our church likes to give them a chance to have some age and maturity before we baptize them, so Neesie having reached this tender young age and having had a consistent walk for a while, the timing was perfect for her. We're very happy and thankful for this most precious and blessed of events. In all of her life, there will be none that will compare.

She and I had a nice little chat on yesterday about baptism. I told her how in some countries and cultures, the very act of being baptized is putting your very life on the line. There are those who have identified with Christ in believer's baptism, who have set themselves up for persecution by their government and being disowned by their families. All for the sake of Christ. Of all the joys of the Christian life, this is the greatest. All for Him. Can we give Him any less?

Praise God for Neesie and the three others who went into the waters today. Say a pray for them, would you please, that they will continue to follow the Savior they professed today and persevere to the end.

Tuesday Tips #5 - Walking

Well, we just talked about the benefits of drinking water, which we all know about. I've been doing much better this week, and hope I can keep it up and not fall off like I did before.

Today I want to talk about another very helpful way to reduce many health risks as well as to manage stress and release tension - walking. Even if you, like me, have little time to go to the gym or participate in an exercise program, we can at least walk more. Now that the weather is better, I hope to get back to walking around the neighborhood and getting in that mile plus a day, but some days we are so busy with life that we may have some trouble fitting in the time. We shouldn't, but sometimes we just don't get to it.

So how are you doing with physical activity in your home? Do you walk around your house briskly or are you sluggish about it? It makes a difference, you know. Some of you may remember a post I made some time ago about not sitting too much. I still remember that one and try to get up and down from the chair and move around every chance I get. It's not only about losing weight (which I need to do) but about helping our bodies and minds to function better.

I wanted to pass along these tips I just received from the American Heart Association. As they said, it's convenient, comfortable and safe to work out at home. So here are some things to think about:

• Do housework yourself instead of hiring someone else to do it. [They had to tell me that?]
• Work in the garden or mow the grass. Using a riding mower doesn't count!
• Rake leaves, prune, dig and pick up trash.
• Go out for a short walk before breakfast, after dinner, or both! Start with 5-10 minutes and work up to 30 minutes. [This is an excellent idea, but difficult for moms with small children at home.]
• Walk or bike to the corner store instead of driving. [Do people still have corner stores?]
• When walking, pick up the pace from leisurely to brisk. [Take a brisk spin around the mall once, then do the leisurely shopping thing.]
• Stand up while talking on the telephone. [Uh-oh.]
• Walk the dog. [Our Fro would sure appreciate this one.]
• Park farther away at the mall [or any store] and walk the extra distance. Wear your walking shoes and sneak in an extra lap or two around the mall. [Oops. I just said that.]
• Keep exercise equipment repaired and use it! [For those of you fortunate enough to have it.]

The brochure from the Heart Association has nice photos of families out walking together. Of all the activities we can do as a family, this is one of the best. Let's all strive to do this more!

Drinking Water

I was thinking about drinking water today. This is something that has been on my mind of late, since drinking 6-8 cups of water a day is something I started doing a few years ago, but recently slacked up. I don't know why I slowed down on my water intact, but I've run into a few minor health issues of late and have the sneaky feeling that a lack of water has something to do with it. I was reading up on this a bit, and it's just amazing how many health benefits there are to getting into the habit of drinking plain old water. Yes, fruit juice is good for you, but nothing takes the place of water. And our bodies know the difference. They respond to it like nothing else. For most of us, we do have a lot of choices for fluid consumption, though some of them are not too beneficial for us, such as soda.

Do you drink enough water? If so, do you have a filter, drink tap water, or use the bottled kind?I'm just curious. Does the tap water in your home have fluoride in it? Ours does, but apparently many homes don't and you need to supplement.

Having said all that, I want you to take a look at the little boy below.

His name is Abdoumoumouni ( I have no idea how to pronounce it) and he lives in a village named Kokomani alongside the Niger River in Africa. It's strange that as I was about to make this post about drinking water, the World Vision eNews came into my inbox, with several articles about people who are suffering from a lack of clean water. This article about this village was one of them. I took it that the Lord's timing was that I should mention these dear folks to you in this post and set them forth as a matter of prayer. Perhaps you can even help in some way. World Vision is dear to our hearts in this household; we sponsor a Kenyan child through them. I really can't speak too highly of this organization. Who knows what you may be able to do: if you read the article, they have suggestions.

Well, it's getting to be time for me to wrap this up , but think about all this --I really would love to hear about you and your water drinking.

Lord Monckton

I was reading, or rather skimming over, an article in World Magazine today, which was an interview with Lord Christopher Monckton, former adviser to British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Lord Monckton had some good things to say about climate-change policies and I must admit some of this financial talk was over my head. But it was nice to hear some common sense coming out of Europe. Lately, I've been wondering if the whole world has gone mad, including our own dear country. I've pretty much pulled back a bit from reading as much about all of the national and international goings on., as it was starting to get to me a bit. It's not that I'm "putting my head in the sand"; I just think I was going a little overboard thinking about it too much. Things are still pretty bad, but I'm trying not to worry as much. Where we can do something as Christians, let's do it, but there are some things we simply must leave in the hands of the Lord. Personally, I think much of what is happening is His doing anyway. He has His purposes.

Anyway, I couldn't resist posting this picture of Lord Monckton. Love those Scottish outfits. Now that's when a man is a real man, when he can wear something like this with a smile.

One Half Year!

In the midst of our Easter reflections, I thought I'd post a picture of our little Shae-Shae who turned six months old today. Just wanted you to see how she's grown from the last time. You may remember when I posted pictures of her when she was born. Can you believe this much time has passed already? Look at her-she's trying to crawl!




You can just imagine how much she's loved! Happy one-half birthday, Shana!

There Was a Garden

Then they took the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand. John 19:40-42.

"To a deep-seeing eye like that of John, this proximity was more than a coincidence. John felt that there was an inward harmony between the garden and the cross. The cross was the crowning service of Christ's life. It was love going to the uttermost. It was the final and voluntary sacrifice for the salvation and service of the world. And to John it was no mere coincidence that in the place of that supreme surrender there should be the fragrance and the blossoming of flowers. One might have thought to find a desert there. One might have counted on a bleak and dreary scene. What struck the mystical eye of the apostle was that everything was the opposite of that. Christ died. He gave Himself for men. He poured out His life in full surrender--and in the place where this all happened was a garden."

~~From Meditations on the Gospels, by George H. Morrison.

As Spring brushes our cheeks with her sweetness and blesses us with the fresh smells and sights of her beauty; as we go about our digging and planting in the fresh warm earth with the hope of soon coming blossoms, let's remember that in the place where our Savior was crucified there was a garden. Let's remember that in that garden there was a sepulchre, and that our precious Lord was buried there. But let us remember most of all that it was in that garden that He arose from the dead, conquering death for you and for me, and that He lives forevermore. Hallelujah.

Come On Over

Over on the sidebar, not too far down, you'll see the link to "The SG Notebook," which is the blog for our home business. As some of you know, Speakable Gifts provides inspirational publications and other gift items for families, especially children. Kids are important to us, and we do as much as we can to promote their growth in every way, especially in character. If you have youngsters at home, you also might want to try out the writing activities we have on our site.

Well, today I just posted that we're hosting our first giveaway and wanted to invite you to come over and leave a comment (or more) so that you can be in the running. Everything is explained there and when you get there, you'll see what it is that we're giving away! I sure would love it if one of my friends from this blog could end up the winner. And yes, Cathy, I want you to enter too!

I'll probably tell some folks when I comment at your blogs, so that some of your readers may come too. We want folks to know where we are and to know about Speakable Gifts. So thanks for helping out! All ages welcome!!

News From China

Much is happening in China these days and I hope you are all aware of the happenings. Please uphold the people of this country in prayer and do whatever you can to help from a distance. Many are paying particular attention to the situation with Christian human rights attorney Gao Zhisheng, who was taken captive by the authorities almost sixty days ago. The ChinaAid and Voice of the Martyrs organizations are relentlessly seeking to put pressure on the government to release information as to his whereabouts and condition. Reports say he is being severely tortured. For more information on this story please go to FreeGao.com. Also, people are agreeing to send emails on his behalf and/or sign a petition. Go to the Persecution Blog if you are interested in doing either of these things.

Folks, once again it is a Lord's Day eve. Many of us will go to our nice churches, sing our hymns and spiritual songs as loud as we please, hear our sermons, have our fellowships, say our prayers, and come home giving little thought to the blessings of doing so without fear of persecution. At least not yet. Let's have these dear ones in our hearts as we go. Let us never cease to pray for them. Let us ask for the courage and compassion to do what little we can to help. These people love the Lord. Some of them are suffering all kinds of horrendous treatment because of their love for Him. Thank God for them; they are great examples to us.

Must I be carried to the skies

On flow'ry beds of ease,

While others fought to win the prize,

And sailed through bloody seas?

Are there no foes for me to face?

Must I not stem the flood?

Is this vile world a friend to grace,

To help me on to God?

Sure I must fight if I would reign:

Increase my courage Lord;

I'll bear the toil, endure the pain,

Supported by the Word.

~ Isaac Watts

Done!

April wouldn't be April if I didn't make at least one post about income taxes. You see, this has traditionally been a stressful time for me. But for the past couple of years, it's been getting better and better. All because of H & R Block online service! It has made all the difference, as I have been doing just a little bit at the computer, for a half hour or so in the mornings, and slowly but surely the taxes have been getting done. You plug in the figures, they do all the computations, as well as telling you whether or not you should itemize, what credits you can or can't take, and other helps. Today I did the last segment; I paid the $50 (not that cheap maybe, but cheaper than a tax preparer); and all I have to do now is print the return, sign and mail it. All done, and it's only the 2nd of the month. Anyone who knew me in the early days of blogging knows that I've been usually at the last minute, like say the 12-14th of the month finishing up, so this is quite an achievement. I'll take whatever pats on the back you want to give!

Now if we can get Neesie's third quarter grades and work in the mail by the middle of next I may just be able to keep my sanity after all. No more work tonight, though. Tonight I'm going to relax for a while, maybe read a few blogs.

Sneaky Nutrition - Hot Cereal Muffins

Well now, it's been a while hasn't it? Time for a Sneaky Nutrition post! Of all the posts I make, I think these are my favorite. First, I kind of like being sneaky with my family and encouraging that kind of behavior in others. Isn't it fun when we can do things for them and they don't even know it? It all gets ruined when we tell them something's good for them, you know.

There is no specific ingredient that I'm pushing this time, I just thought I'd share what I believe is my favorite muffin. I don't remember where I first got the recipe, so I can't give credit to anyone. I love these, particularly when I make a mixture of cottage cheese and cream cheese, add a little vanilla to the mixture, and spread that on the muffins. Yum-YUM. The rest of my family prefers them with peanut butter. It's not going to be necessary for me to tell you all the reasons why these muffins are nutritious. You'll be able to figure it out yourself. I just wanted to share it, since I had lost the recipe for a while and it wasn't so long ago that I found it. So now I've started making them for breakfast again. Enjoy!

HOT CEREAL MUFFINS

1-1/4 cup uncooked hot cereal (I use oatmeal)

1/2 - 3/4 cup hot apple juice or orange juice (heat until almost boiling)

2 Tablespoons canola or sunflower oil

1/4 - 1/3 cup honey

1 egg, slightly beaten

1 cup plain yogurt (I use Stonyfield organic)

1-1/4 cup whole wheat flour

1-1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon grated orange rind (best with fresh grated)

1/2 cup raisins (optional)

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cereal and hot juice. Mix until well blended. Mix in the oil, honey, egg, and yogurt.

2. In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, orange rind and raisins. Mix the dry ingredients into the cereal mixture.

Fill 12 greased baking cups about two-thirds full with batter. (For some reason, I had a lot of batter last time.I put the overflow in a small pan. Usually, though, it's just enough for 12 nice size muffins.) Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

If you make a double batch, you can put some in the freezer for busy (or lazy) mornings. Try them, you may like them. I never got past oatmeal, because that's my favorite hot cereal. You may want to experiment with something else. Hope you like them!

Life at Conception Act.

The fight goes on for the life of the unborn. I wonder just how many red envelopes have been sent to the White House. Keep pressing on, folks! We refuse to give up. Bathe everything in prayer.

I just wanted to drop in to give you a link to something we should all be aware of. Recently I received a call and a mailing from Rep Steve King of Iowa and the National Pro-Life Alliance. In the mailings were three petitions which we intend to sign and send to our representatives in the House and Senate. There is a very important bill in Congress right now which could have a huge impact on saving the lives of unborn children. It could very well be what is needed to see Roe vs. Wade overturned.

Please read about the Life at Conception Act as soon as possible and do one or two things: Please write about it on your blogs and/or send emails to pro-life friends asking them to contact their representatives in Congress.

Two Photos

Pray for North Dakota. There seems to be one disaster after another these days.

This is ridiculous. Especially at such a time as this.

Spring Getting to Know You Giveaway

This is all about a post I promised to make last week to Bev and our friend Sara about a giveaway going on at their Girl Inside blog. I'm finally getting to it. They are giving away a great book--I would advise you to check it out. In order to enter the giveaway, you fill out the following survey and then post it on your blog. Then you go to the Girl Inside blog and add your name to the Mr. Linky at their post. Your name gets entered for the book and if you sign up to follow their blog, your name gets entered again. Hope that explains it well enough for any of you who wants to, to give it a try. All ages are welcome! So here goes:

1. Give us your name and age (age is optional) please don't put your last name!
My name is Maxine. I am also known as Nanna, and well, I'm old enough to be a nanna.

2. Who is in your family?
In our household: My husband Chuck and my sixteen year old daughter Neesie. Guess I'll count Frodo, our dog. My family, though, extends beyond this household.

3. What is your favorite Bible verse?
My favorite passage is Romans 8:35-39. But there are many favorites.

4. Why is it your favorite?
To know that nothing can separate me from Christ's love is all that I need in this often difficult pilgrimage. If I have Him, I have all things.

5. What is your favorite thing to do in your spare time?
Write, especially something spiritual for children. This comes more easily at certain times more than others. I also enjoy all kinds of puzzles, enjoy old TV shows, and of course, enjoy blogging. Feeding and watching the birds is another pastime.

6. What is your biggest struggle as a woman?
To not talk too much.

7. What would you like us to talk about in the GI blog in the future?
I think I'll let your younger women tell you that.

8. Who is your favorite author?
Elizabeth Prentiss and J. C. Ryle.

9. What is your favorite Christian song or poem?
I can't just name one of the many old hymns that I love. "It is Well With My Soul" would definitely be one of them.

10. Do you have any advice for a fellow sister in Christ?
Especially for the younger women: Look to Christ in all things. Look to Christ to make you beautiful in the real sense; look to Christ to show you what is true success in this life; and look to Christ to give you contentment and satisfaction.

Now that I've done mine, why don't some of you try it, and then go over to tell Bev and Sara and link to your blog. Who knows--you may end up with a book!